It is gratifying to see that so many HCPs have "seen the light" about
formula company gifts, offered in the guise of lunches and educational
sessions, and have refused to go near them.  Nothing avoids a conflict of
interest better than avoiding the conflict altogether!

I wonder, though, why an HCP should feel that it is a necessary part of
providing health care expertise and advice to also offer a free formula
sample to families with formula-feeding babies?  Why offer a free sample of
a prescription drug for *any* malady?  Are free samples of vaccinations
given, or is the patient charged for this medication?  Are free samples of
weight checks or ear checks or health forms for summer camp given, or is
the patient expected to provide a necessary co-pay for these services?
 When the baby has an illness requiring a prescription to be written, is a
free sample routinely given out along with the prescription slip?

A HCP can discuss any product, medicine or service, with any
patient/client, in a one-on-one clinical context.  Talk all you want about
formula, to the mother using formula.  But if "it is easier to hand a 1/2
size can of formula than to remember the 'catchy' name or the color of the
can" this begs the question of whether a fully-informed discussion of the
risks and benefits of formula use is being explored. The formula mfgrs
understand, though, that the mother will most certainly remember the catchy
name and can color ... after all ... her doctor gave it to her.
-- 
Liz Brooks JD IBCLC FILCA
Wyndmoor, PA, USA

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